
Joe Tamburino
About
Joe Tamburino is one of the most effective criminal defense attorneys in the Twin Cities and has been named a Minnesota “Super Lawyer” for the last two decades straight. His passion for excellence in criminal defense has led to an exclusive rating as a Minnesota State Bar Association Board Certified Legal Specialist in Criminal Law, he is 1 of 50 attorneys in the state. He has defended his clients effectively against a wide range of charges – from DWI and white collar crimes to child pornography, white-collar and internet crimes – and has personally tried over 100 jury trials. Joe has over 30 years of criminal law experience.
A graduate of New York University and the University of Minnesota Law School, Tamburino began his career in the Anoka County Attorney’s Office and then the Public Defender’s Office. In 1997, he joined what would become Tamburino Law Group and has become a prominent and visible member of the Minnesota legal community. Early in his career, Tamburino was named a Rising Star in Minnesota by Minnesota Law & Politics. Minnesota Lawyer has ranked him a Super Lawyer for the last two decades. In 2023, Joe Tamburino was given the Minnesota Icon Award by Minnesota Finance & Commerce Magazine for lifetime career achievement and contributions to the community.
Joe Tamburino was nominated for an Emmy Award for his legal analysis on WCCO CBS TV throughout the trial of Derek Chauvin. He is a frequent legal analyst for CBS News, WCCO Radio, Court TV and Law and Crime Network. Tamburino has shared his expert legal analysis on high-profile cases and is a regular resource for media looking for a conversational understanding of current events with legal complexities. He also presents regularly to law schools and legal professional groups on a wide variety of criminal topics including - drinking & driving, alcohol-related accidents, homicides and criminal sexual conduct, campaign finance, international matters and first amendment (free speech) cases.
Tamburino is licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin and the Federal Courts in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.
Accomplishments
- MSBA Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist – he is 1 of 50 Attorneys in the state
- Minnesota “Rising Star,” Minnesota Law & Politics, 1998
- National Moot Court Competition, New York, 1989
- The National Trial Lawyers - Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- Super Lawyers® Rising Star 1998-1999, SuperLawyer 2000-2024
- American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys - 10 Best Client Satisfaction 2015 - 2020
Legal Education Instructor
- Minnesota Continuing Legal Education (CLE) – frequent webcast seminar instructor
- Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) – Trial School – presenter/instructor
- Minnesota Criminal Justice Institute – instructor
- All District Legal Education – instructor Public Defender Association (1989-1997)
- Office of the State Public Defender (1989-1997)
Community Involvement
- Frequent lecturer at area high schools
- St. Paul Community Council Member, 1996 to 1998
- Italian Cultural Center (ICC), VP (2017-present)
- Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA), Chair (2016-2019)
- Hennepin Ave. Safety Committee
- Hennepin Ave. Stakeholders Committee
- Minneapolis Downtown Council
- Minneapolis Downtown Council's Safety Coalition
Awards

Our Settlements & Verdicts
Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.
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Case Dismissal Assault Charges
Attorney Joe Tamburino represented a client in Anoka County on multiple assault charges involving multiple alleged victims. Joe litigated the matter for almost a year, and on the day of trial he got the case dismissed. His client was very happy.
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Case Dismissed Domestic Assault
Attorney Joe Tamburino represented a client on a domestic assault charge in Carver County where his client was accused of forcibly removing their significant other from their home.
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No Jail on Reduced Charge Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Attorney’s Joe Tamburino and Hillary Parsons represented a client on charges of assault with a deadly weapon charge in Hennepin County.
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Case Dismissed Assault Charge
Attorney Joe Tamburino was retained on an assault charge in Dakota County on a Thursday, and the case was set for trial the following Monday.
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Case Dismissed Failure to Register as a Predatory Offender
Attorney Joe Tamburino represented a client who was charged with Failure to Register as a Predatory Offender in Wisconsin.
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Case Dismissed HRO Respondent
Attorney Joe Tamburino defended his client on a harassment restraining order (HRO) in Hennepin County. After almost nine months of litigation and motion work, a hearing was held in district court.
Joe Tamburino
TAMBURINO TALKS LAW
Minneapolis - St. Paul’s Criminal Defense Attorney & Legal Analyst
